Grand Canyon in October
 

We are planning a road trip to the Grand Canyon in mid to late October to celebrate my 50th birthday. Is this too late to enjoy the hiking as far as weather? Where is the best place to stay for a quiet, romantic setting?

This link should tell you about weather:

www.kaibab.org/gc/misc/gc_wthr.htm

The BEST place for a romantic setting would in the El Tovar Hotel. If you can't get a room there (they sell out months in advance), one of the Bright Angel cabins will be quite cozy for romance.

People hike year round. October should be a great time--not so hot and not as crowded.

My sister hiked to the bottom on January 1st (although, there was ice on the upper part of the trail!!!)

If you want to hike to the bottom, spend the night and hike back up, you have to have a permit.

You can tent camp or there is a dorm. My sister just called the dorm and the next available date was in December 2005!!

Here's the official web site for day hiking:

http://www.nps.gov/grca/grandcanyon/dayhike/

Three of us did a four day backpack in October several years ago. Temperature was warm-hot for me during the day and cool in evening. You are hiking in the high desert so the inner canyon will be hotter than on rim. Be sure to carry and drink enough water. The cottonwoods were in full color contrasting nicely with the reds in the rock.

I was there in November, still it was great! Cool a bit, a light jacket was needed in the mornings/evenings.

We were there in early October and had beautiful weather. I have heard that the end of October can get cold in this area.

You might try shooting for mid-October if you can.

Utahtea

October is an excellent time to visit as the temps are cooler, but usually not too cold. When we visited in early to mid October years ago, we enjoyed great weather the first day we were there and were treated to a dusting (about 1 inch) of snow when we awoke the next morning. Having the chance to see the canyon with and without a coating of snow was wonderful.